Monson pastor delivers message of hope after tornado; massive volunteer effort under way to help those in need

MONSON - Rev. Robert Marrone, pastor of the First Church of Monson, told parishioners gathered in his damaged church at Sunday's service that "things are going to get better."

Marrone said the town will recover, and that the most important thing is that everyone is safe. He thanked everyone for coming, "in the aftermath of unspeakable devastation."

Wednesday's tornado stormed through Monson, ravaging downtown, and neighborhoods behind the Town Office Building on Main Street, up by the First Church off Ely Road, and in the areas of Waid, Cote, Carpenter, East Hill and Pinnacle roads.

"We're now picking up the pieces and trying to make sense of what happened," Marrone said. "We are grateful that so few lives were lost here in Massachusetts . . . After seeing the devastation, this is nothing less than a miracle."

Officials said there was a tornado-related death, Joan Bacon of Bethany Road. She died the day after in the hospital.

"Today our hearts are in turmoil. We are still in shock. We don't know exactly what to do, but we do offer you our prayers today," Marrone told those gathered.

"This has been quite a week. Words seem insufficient to capture the full effect of what has happened," Marrone said.

Marrone said that some people may be wondering, where was God on Wednesday, and "did he take a break between 4 and 6?" That was when the tornado struck. He began seeing evidence of God's presence shortly after, when he saw neighbors appear out of their homes, checking on each other, helping each other.

The next day, people rallied and began preparing food and organizing a response. The First Church, despite losing its steeple to the tornado, is still operational and has become the center for information and recovery efforts.

Donations have been pouring in, "the basement looks like a grocery store," Marrone told the parishioners.

Parishioner Kelly J. Couture, of 23 State St. lost the roof of her home to the tornado.

Her husband, Joe, just stepped through the door when the tornado hit. Joe Couture said they are staying with friends.

"We don't want to keep eating all their food," he said.

The Coutures were "shopping" in the church's basement.

What used to be the Sunday School area has been transformed into something that really does look like a grocery store. Everything is organized- pasta in one area, canned goods in another. There are baby products, pet food, Ramen noodles, toiletries. Marrone said they got so much clothing they had to start turning it away.

There are toys, snacks, everything a family would need.

Marrone said he is heartened by the outpouring of generosity.

Volunteers were running the kitchen upstairs, serving lunch. Sunday night, another community meal was planned for 5 p.m. He estimated that more than 1,000 meals were being served each night.

Outside, the grills were going. Hamburgers and hot dogs were on the menu. Those interested in volunteering could sign up at a table. Church member Brian Connors was coordinating efforts outside. Tarps, work gloves and water all were available. Teams of high school students were hauling bottled water in wagons around town to emergency workers.

Shuttle buses were running from the church, bringing sandwiches and beverages to the decimated and hard to reach neighborhoods.

Lisa and Christopher Jalbert, along with Kathy Dreyer and her daughter, Jillian, drove to King Street and East Hill Road, where public access is limited. Jillian Dreyer, who now lives in Atlanta, Ga., took a plane back Saturday to help with the volunteer effort.

Another bus, operated by Jeff Lord, was taking residents from Colonial Village, the elderly housing complex on State Street, to the church so they could get food. The town's supermarket, Adams IGA, had part of its roof blown off, and windows smashed in from the tornado, leaving the town without a market.

F. Davis Johnson, with some yard tools in hand, was preparing to go to 126 East Hill Road with fellow volunteers, Reese Connors, 15, and Chris Riley, 16, all of Monson.

Johnson's home was undamaged, but he noted he had problems during the flood in 2005 that washed out bridges and roads in town.

"It's our turn now to help," Johnson said.

Marrone said the church now needs monetary donations, which will be given to families in need. There are families without insurance who lost everything.

"We want to help people in any way we can. A lot is going to be needed," Marrone said. "The real issue is the people who lost their homes. Everything is destroyed. Our steeple can be replaced."

Information for residents is being posted at www.monson-ma.gov, and on the Monson Tornado Watch 2011 Facebook page.

Residents should not pay for work until it is done. Licenses should be checked. Residents also should get signed contracts. There have been at least three looting incidents, including one on Stewart Avenue.

Thomas D. Metcalfe was at First Church, doing shopping for his fellow elderly neighbors at Colonial Village. He said of the 78 residents there, who range in age from 70 to 95, all but two could stay. One of the buildings had to be condemned due to storm damage, he said.

"I'm picking up things easy to cook," Metcalfe said.

Metcalfe watched the tornado coming from his window, and saw a tree fly by. State Street is next to the Town Office Building, one of the neighborhoods that experienced rampant destruction. The Town Office Building lost its roof, and is unsafe to be in. Town offices, starting Monday, will operate out of the former Hillside School on Thompson Street.

Jackie Rogalski was clearing branches from the sidewalk outside her roofless 1870 home, which was built in the 2nd Empire Italianate style. She said that on Wednesday, her husband Walter was grilling as the tornado approached.

"He just made it inside when we saw the gazebo go by," Rogalski, of Main Street, said. "It came over so quick."

Library Director Katie Krol, who was walking downtown on Sunday, said children's programming was going on when the tornado struck. She said she somehow managed to squeeze 14 people into a bathroom. The library is closed indefinitely, and had damage to its roof.

"It all took five seconds," she said of the tornado.

"To walk out and see this . . ."

Monson was the picture of a small, New England town, with its quaint downtown, historic churches, buildings and homes. The tornado ripped through Main Street, the gateway to the community, leaving downed wires, trees and debris in its wake.

Marrone reminded the parishioners that things will be different, but life will go on. Trees will be replanted. Homes will be rebuilt.